Folding table



E. G. COVELL FOLDING TABLE March 10, 1931.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug 3. 192

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I FOLDING TABLE Filed Aug. '5, 192' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 tween the outer end portion of the inner top section 19 and the lower portion of the frame 10 when in operating position, and to fold be-' tween the top section 19 and the back 18 of the frame when the parts are folded as shown in Fig. 2. The brace 12 includes two parts or legs, a lower leg pivotally connected to the frame 10 and an upper leg 26 pivotally connected to the top section 19. The legs are pivotally connected together and in the preferredconstruction the outer leg 26 has a projecting end part 26a which overlaps the lower leg 25 to stop the legs in the position'shown in Fig. 1. In the preferred construction each of the legs of the brace comprises, or is in the form of, two spaced parts as shown in Fig. 1, thus makingthe construction strong and rigid. In the arrangement illustrated in the drawings, the leg 25 of the brace is connected with the bottom 17 of the frame through a suitable bracket 27. The bracket I 27 is shown in Fig. 5 and includes a metal strap to be secured to the bottom 17 and having its ends 28 upturned to be connected with the leg parts by pivot pins 29. A bracket 30 similar to the bracket 27 may be employed at the pivotal connection between the leg 26 and .top section 19. i V

r The means 13 provided for setting the bracein the operating position illustrated Fig. 1 includes a toggle connection between the top section 19 and one of the legs of the brace. .The toggle connection is preferably of simple construction including an upper link 31 pivotally connected to the top section 19 and a lower link 32 pivotally connected to the extension 26a of the brace leg 26. The links 31 and pivot pin 33 and are proportioned so that 32 are pivotally connected by a they are in line or parallel when theparts are in operating position as shown in Fig. 1. The upper end of the link 31 is pivotally connected to the undersideof the top section 10 7 through a bracket 35 and pivot pin36. The

. lower end of tne link .32 may be pivotally con:

nected pivot pin 38 to a brace 37- connecting the lower ends of the two parts of the leg 26 as shown'in Fig. 4:.

The means 1 1 provided for automatically operating the toggle connection includes an arm v4O having oneend pivotally connected to the outer top section2O and the other end S pivotally connected tooneof the links '31 of the toggle connection. The arm 40 may be connected by a pivot pin 42 to the top section 20 to be connected with the top section on an axis spaced from the axis of pivotal connection between the top sections 19. and 20.

The axis of the pivot pin a2 is spaced or ofiset inwardly from the axis of pivotal connection between the top sections 19 and 20 so that it is swung or moved outward or forward during movement of the outer top section 20 from the extendedposition to the folded position. A pivot pin 44: pivotally connects the arm 40 -with the link 31 at a point between the pivot pins 33 and 36' sothat the toggle connection is broken in a forward direction as the top section 20 is moved from the extended position to the folded position. The end portion 40a of the arm 40 that connectsto the top section 20 is curved to extend aroundfa-nd clear the pivotallyconnected ends of the top sections when the parts are folded as shown in Fig. 2. The curved portion 40a is such that the m'ainor body portion of the arm is substantially parallel with the top section when the parts are folded.

In accordance with the preferred construction, I provide counterbalancing means in connection with the parts above described,

for the purpose of making the device easy to operate. The counterbalancing means may include one or more springs connected between the bracket 27 and the frame 10. In the drawings I have shown two ordinary helical springs connected between the parts just mentioned and proportionedso that they are loose, or hand free, when the parts-are in operating position as shown in Fig. l, but comeinto play as the parts are moved from the operating position to the closed or'folded position and are under considerable tension when the parts are in the completely folded position shown in Fig. 2. The action of the springs is to counterbalance the weight of the parts and in practice I have found that springs of the proper strength will counterbalance the parts so that the construction works smoothly and substantially uniformly between the two extreme positions shown in Figs. land 2. a

When the table is not in use it is folded into theframe as shown in Fig. 2 Where it is compact and occupies very littleispace. WVhen the table is desired for use, the-outer or upper end of the outer top section 20is pulled forward causingthelower or outer end of the inner top section to be swung forward and" up. As the outer end of the outer top section is pulled away from the frame 10, the sec tlons swing apart until they finally reach the extended position .Where they are in' acommon horizontalplane. During this operation thelegs of the brace are-moved from the folded position to the operating. position where they are in line with each other and the armAlO is operated to move thejlinks of the toggle connection so that they are in line when the outer top section reaches the operating position. With the'parts in operating position as shown in Fig. 1, the operating arm 40 holds the toggle connection with the links in line with each other and the toggle connection having its links in line, positively holds the brace in operating position. The parts thus set, operateto effectively brace and support the top sections in a firm and secure manner. To fold the construction, the operation is reversed, that is, the outer end of the outer top section is lifted and moved inwardly, which operation causes the arm 40 to move forward, breaking the toggle connection and causing the brace 12 to fold.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or that may fall within thescope' of the following claims Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a frame, an inner top section pivotally connected to the frame, an outer top section pivotally connected to the inner section, a folding brace between the inner section and frame having upper and lower sections, the sections being pivoted together at a point spaced from the lower end of the upper section, a positive toggle connection between the brace and inner section forholding the brace in operating position, an operating connection between the outer section and the frame, and a frame attached spring-coimected to the lower end of the upper brace section at a point below its pivotal connection with the lower brace section.

' operating connection between the outer sec tion and the frame, and a frame attached spring-connected to the lower end of the upper bracesection at a point below its pivotal connection with the lower brace section.

In witness that I claim the foregoing l' have hereunto subscribed my name this 1st day of July, 1927.

ERNEST G. COVELL. 

